GFA College Algebra and Problem Solving

Course Syllabus

Course Overview

Welcome to College Algebra! We have designed an engaging, supportive, and personal

learning experience for you that will help you successfully complete a core requirement for
many global universities. The purpose of this course is to encourage your growth and
development in linear and quadratic functions, general polynomial functions, rational functions,
and exponential and logarithmic functions. You will also study systems of linear equations. We
will emphasize problem-solving techniques, complemented with diverse resources to help
ensure you master concepts in each of these topics.

Course Learning Objectives

On successful completion of this course you will be well prepared to:

• Use basic algebraic operations on numbers, expressions, and equations.

• Solve real-world application problems.

• Apply algebraic reasoning to solve a range of problems.

• Begin future studies in pre-calculus and calculus.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

To be successful in this course, we recommend English language fluency and computer

literacy. In addition, we recommend knowledge of basic algebra.

If you are concerned that you may lack knowledge in some areas of basic algebra, we invite you
to join the course anyway. The ALEKS learning and practice software will help you identify
preliminary topics for study to achieve readiness for more advanced learning.

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Online Course Requirements

This is an online course. The content and learning activities can be found within the edX
platform. All course interactions utilize Internet technologies. It is your responsibility to read the
information about the course, watch the videos within the course, and do the coursework.

Personalized Coaching

We have an experienced and knowledgeable coaching staff to help you during your learning
journey. Every coach is skilled in working with students, experienced in mathematics, and
proficient with the software that you will be using.

You are encouraged to interact with coaches when needed by posting your questions using the
“Message Your Coach” link within the ALEKS learning and practice software. In addition, you
are encouraged to interact with your peers in discussion forum conversations and to use the
discussion area to ask any questions you may have.

The course orientation videos will provide you with extremely important information about the
coaching experience, so please ensure you watch them carefully.

The following link will take you to the course orientation materials: Course Guide

Computer Requirements

Due to limitations in VPN Internet connectivity at non-United States locations, students

registering for this course may experience timed outages that are beyond the control of Arizona
State University. We do not recommend that you take this course for credit if you must use VPN
to connect.

Success in this course requires a reasonably modern browser on a laptop or desktop computer
as well as a robust and stable Internet connection. Smart phones and tablets are not compatible
with the proctoring requirement for the final exam.

If you are interested in taking the course for credit, you will need to install the required
proctoring software and supporting computer hardware described here: Software Secure
Proctoring Information

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Course Communications

Communication will take place in the Coaching Center (Newsfeed), in discussion boards, and
through announcements.

Additional information about communication channels can be found in the Course Guide
materials available at the following link: Course Guide

Course Time Commitment

Arizona State University’s accreditation requirements stipulate that you complete College
Algebra within one year from the date you register and enroll to be eligible for academic credit.
This means that you have one year from the date you enrolled to complete the course, and you
have one year from the date you complete the course to purchase your academic credit.

Please plan your goals accordingly. During this year, you are encouraged to work through the
course at a pace that suits your needs.

The work in this course is equivalent to a university-level 15-week course (one semester),
although there is no requirement that the course be completed in one semester.

Tips for Completing the Course Successfully

• Carefully review the navigation and orientation videos to ensure you understand how the
course is designed for your success.

• As you begin your work in the ALEKS learning and practice software, be sure to allow 60
minutes or more to do the Initial Knowledge Check. This is your only opportunity to
demonstrate what already you know about Algebra as you begin the course. Doing your
best on this test ensures that ALEKS can place you at the right level as you begin your
work.

• Always have paper and pencil available to take notes and work problems.

• Use a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator if you wish. Be sure to use only the
approved types of calculators as shown on the provided list. You do not need to buy a
personal graphing calculator since a graphing calculator will be provided online by
ALEKS when one is required as you work through the lessons in the course. Another
option is to use an online calculator.

• Calculators with QWERTY keyboards or those that do symbolic algebra, such as the
Casio FX2, Casio 9970Gs, TI-89, TI-92, or TI-nspire CAS should not be used in this
course and cannot be used during the exam. Cellular phone calculators should not be
used in class and are not permitted during an exam.

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 • Use the ALEKS learning and practice software in the course to help learn and retain the
concepts of College Algebra at a pace that suits your needs.

• If you have a question, post it using the “Message Your Coach” link in the ALEKS
learning and practice software. Your coach will respond in the Coaching Center with
advice and support.

• Complete each of the objectives to at least 90% mastery.

Taking the Final Exam

• You must be ID Verified prior to taking the final exam.

• You may upgrade to ID Verified status at any time during the course.

• After you are ID Verified and achieve 90% proficiency in each of the objectives in the
course, you will be invited to take a practice proctored exam in preparation for the final
exam. Taking more than one practice exam will better prepare you for the final exam.

• To take the final exam, you will need a web cam and microphone that are compatible
with your computer and the proctoring software. You will also need reliable and robust
Internet access. You must take the practice proctored exam before taking the final exam
to ensure that your system will work.

• You may use pencils, paper, and your scientific or graphing calculator during the
proctored practice exam and the proctored final exam.

• No notes, no cell phones, no consulting other websites except those white-listed, and no
help from others will be allowed as you take the proctored practice exam and the
proctored final exam.

• As an ID Verified student, once you pass the final exam with an A, B, or C grade, and we
have confirmed that your proctoring process was successful (that you did not violate
academic integrity policies), you will have the opportunity to purchase academic credit
from Arizona State University.

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Course Grading

Final grades for this course are based on the number of points you earn on the ID Verified final
exam. There is no extra credit available. No grade will be assigned to exam scores that are less
than 70%. There will be no + or - added to grades.

The grading scale is shown here:

A = 90% or higher
B = 80% to 89.99%
C = 70% to 79.99%

Academic Integrity
The highest standards of academic integrity are expected of all students at all times. For more
information, see http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity and https://www.edx.org/edx-terms-
service

Student Support

The link that follows here will take you to the edX Student Frequently Asked Questions page:
https://www.edx.org/about/student-faq

Disabled students are encouraged to contact our accommodations and accessibility team as
soon as possible to ensure we are meeting your needs for success. Please email gfa@asu.edu
and we will connect with you.

Subject to Change Notice

All materials are subject to change. It is your responsibility to stay in touch with announcements,
connect with your instructor and coaches through the discussion boards, review the course site
regularly, and communicate with other students.

This syllabus should not be considered final and may change as the course progresses. The
instructors reserve the right to modify it to meet the needs of the class.